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Tyler – The John Tyler High School Big Blue Band and the Tyler Lee Red Raider Band will perform their annual March-A-Thon fundraising events Saturday morning from 8 to 11. As the bands march through the neighborhoods along their individual routes, people will have the opportunity to receive personal concerts and/or give a donation to the band. To make a donation, for the John Tyler Big Blue Band call 903.262.2887 and 903.262.2679 for the Tyler Lee Red Raider Band. For Route information for each school Continue reading John Tyler and Lee Bands Hold March-A-Thon Events Saturday

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested on Friday, following a lengthy investigation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Kevin Ramon Erwin was taken into custody when deputies served an arrest warrant on his residence following an almost six-month investigation. When they arrived, Ewrin ran but was apprehended. Authorities located a truck, motorcycle and generator all reported stolen. Investigators say they also came across black tar heroin, crystal meth, and nearly $5,000 in cash inside his home. Continue reading Man Arrested for Stolen Vehicles, Black Tar Heroin & Crystal Meth

EUSTACE — The suspects involved in the vandalizing of Goshen cemetery last week have been discovered. According to a statement from Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, the alleged vandals were identified through an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers. Chandler McKinney, a 22 year-old male from Eustace has been taken into custody. He was booked on a $50,000 bond, but has been released. Another suspect is 19-year-old Tristan Castillo, of Eustace. Castillo is set to turn himself in on Friday. Charges were also filed against a juvenile for the crime.

TYLER — Tyler Police are looking for a suspect wanted in the Sunday shooting a of 16 year-old male. Investigators say the youth was selling a gun and had agreed to meet the potential buyer in a South Broadway parking lot. Three black males remained inside a vehicle while the victim was standing by the car, a man in the back seat grabbed the weapon by force with the intent to steal it. A struggle ensued between the victim and suspect over the weapon resulting in the suspect shooting the victim twice, hitting him in the arm and shoulder. Continue reading Suspect Wanted in Shooting of 16 Year Old Male

GUN BARREL CITY — An East Texas man who is autistic has been found after being reported missing in Gun Barrel City. According to our news partner KETK, police report that 22-year-old Wesley Horton has been found safe.

KILGORE — Kilgore College and East Texas Baptist University are teaming up to address what’s termed a widespread shortage of teachers in East Texas. ETBU is hosting university-level courses on KC’s campus, allowing KC students to take ETBU courses leading toward a bachelor’s degree in education — early childhood through sixth grade. KC President Dr. Brenda Kays and ETBU President Dr. Blair Blackburn solidified the plan that provides ETBU an office in Kilgore for recruiting, student services, and advising for KC students and graduates. The cohort classes – which began Aug. 19 with nine students – are taught by ETBU faculty who travel to the Kilgore campus. Classes are currently held in the Watson Library but will be moved to the new Baptist Student Center on the Kilgore campus upon its completion.

GREGG COUNTY — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office has identified two bodies discovered Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, they were found to be Joshua Lee Gregier and Sara Joy Travis, both white and both 31 years old. Gregier and Travis were found on Coulter Road off FM 1844. Deputy Josh Tubb said they do not know exactly where they are from, but the investigation is ongoing. On Wednesday, a preliminary autopsy report revealed that their cause of death could not be determined.

TYLER — On Thursday Gustavo Zavala-Garcia pled guilty to the murder of Kayla Gomez in a plea deal carried out with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Zavala-Garcia was sentenced to life in prison, instead of execution. District Attorney Jacob Putman said the reason for the deal was “The Supreme Court doesn’t like the death penalty.” A 2017 decision by the Supreme Court severely limits the State’s ability to execute those found to be intellectually disabled. Zavala-Garcia was found to be intellectually disabled based on the new standard. Continue reading Smith County DA – “Supreme Court Doesn’t Like Death Penalty”

CHAPEL HILL — A Paypal account has been created to help cover burial expenses of Madison Williams. Our news partner KETK has confirmed with family members the account is authentic. The three-year-old girl died on Sunday after walking between her mother and grandmother’s house. Preliminary autopsy reports confirm she drowned in a nearby pond. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is still examining the case. No criminal charges have been filed in the childs death. To donate, click the link.
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8hzsEGgO32 The aim of the effort is $15,000.

TYLER — The man accused of murdering a 10-year-old girl in Bullard in 2016 has pleaded guilty to the crime and will spend the rest of his life in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Gustavo Zavala-Garcia, 27, of Bullard, was in the 241st District Court Thursday morning to enter the plea for the death of his niece, Kayla Gomez. Kayla went missing from Bullard First Assembly of God Church in November 2016 and was found a few days later just a few miles away, in a well on Zavala-Garcia’s property. Zavala-Garcia had had his trial delayed five times, mostly to allow for further DNA testing. Prior to the guilty plea, the trial had been set for March 16, 2020.

HUGHES SPRINGS — The Hughes Springs Police Department reports 16-year-old Joshua Shaw of Gilmer has been found safe after being missing since May 8. According to our news partner KETK, it’s unknown why he went missing, and there was no immediate word on the circumstances of his return. Word went out August 18 about the search for Joshua as reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

TYLER — School board members in Tyler have voted to move forward with selling the district’s Agricultural Learning Center. Leaders say John Tyler High school’s ag center has been underutilized. The school says the sale does not jeopardize the district’s dedication to its ag program. A timeline on when the ag facility will hit the market isn’t known. Money from the sale would go back into the district’s general fund.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County man was acquitted by a jury after being accused of making a school threat on social media in 2018. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler McGill, 23, was found not guilty of false alarm or report on Tuesday in the 241st Judicial District Court. McGill was arrested in March 2018 for posting a video on Snapchat of himself in a vehicle. The video showed several guns inside an auto with the caption “coming soon to a school near you.”

TYLER — New initiatives and programs were announced Wednesday at the U.T. Tyler Annual Convocation. President Dr. Michael Tidwell said starting in the fall of 2020, students ranked in the top 25% of their class will be automatically accepted upon application. This fall, the school projects to have the largest freshman and sophomore classes in its history. The school will also be immediately recruiting for a new drum line program. Continue reading U.T. Tyler Announces Vision at 2019 Convocation

TYLER — Most schools in the area have started the fall semester and the Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists about the dangers, and punishment for passing a school bus illegally. According to our news partner KETK, drivers who unlawfully pass a school bus can expect a fine up to $1,250. Continue reading DPS: Drivers Could Be Fined Over $1200 for Passing School Bus

GREGG COUNTY — The cause of death is unknown for two bodies discovered in Gregg County on Monday afternoon following initial autopsy reports. According to our news partner KETK, while the cause of death is unknown, there is nothing that would alter the inquiry from a death investigation. The bodies were located on Coulter Road, off FM 1844. The complete report of the autopsy could take as long as 90 days. The two identities of the bodies have not been released by police pending notification of family members.

TYLER — Smith County officials have approved funding that will eventually widen Old Jacksonville Highway. The project would enlarge the road, also known as farm-to-market road 2493, south to the Smith county line and into Cherokee county. The Texas Department of Transportation is at the helm of the project. TxDOT will pay 90 percent of the cost with money from the federal highway administration. The local cost of the estimated four point six million dollar initiative will be more than 460-thousand dollars.

GREGG COUNTY — A crash from September 2017 brought judgment for 21 year-old Davin Davis. According to our news parther KETK, Davis and Chad Malone were racing down the loop in Longview nearly 2 years ago, traveling as fast as 110 mph. Malone’s car hit a truck exiting a parking lot. The wreck claimed the lives of Rylee Malone and Meshebia Johnson. The accident also badly injured Christa Wilson. On Tuesday afternoon Davis entered a guilty pleas and was sentenced to spend the next 12 years of his life behind bars. Malone was sentenced in February to 12 years as well.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials from the Smith County Sheriffs office responded the scene of a gas station at I-20 and Jim Hogg Road Tuesday afternoon where a body was found near a wooded area. According to our news partner KETK, the body was found to be a white male and partially decomposed.The scene was processed for evidence and the neighborhood was canvassed. The cause of death is unknown. An autopsy had been ordered by the Justice of the Peace.

CHAPEL HILL — An autopsy was conducted on 3-year-old Madison Williams and the preliminary report shows that she drowned. According to our news partner KETK, no criminal charges have been filed in the case, but the investigation is still ongoing. Williams disappeared from her home early Sunday morning. Deputies and volunteers searched for nine hours. She was discovered in a pond not far from her home.

TYLER — Although Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks did not encourage a burn ban be issued by the Commissioners Court on Tuesday, he did urge residents to use extreme caution when burning and to abstain from it, if possible. Brooks told the court his office has been monitoring the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Smith County, as well as weather conditions and the number of grass fires in the county. Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal Urges Caution

BULLARD — A Ballon release was held on Monday night in honor of the late Bullard softball coach. Megan Dobrinksi died last week following her battle with cancer. According to our news partner KETK, she was celebrated on Monday night as the community of Bullard continues to heal. A petition is circulating online to rename Bullard ISD Softball field to Dobrinksi Field. At last check it had gained over 5,000 signatures. If you would like to sign the petition to change the name of the field, click the link https://www.change.org/p/school-board-name-the-bullard-softball-field-dobrinski-field?signed=true